Japan
Solo Travel

Japan solo travel should always start with Tokyo. The world’s largest city, it is a mercurial metropolis where tradition precedes but style leads. Neon-lit skies will guide you through the quirky neighbourhoods of Harajuku – where kawaii (cute) fashion is the religion and cosplay is its currency. Don’t miss a trip to the neighbourhoods of Shinokitazawa – home of the cat temple Gotokuji and birthplace of the lucky maneki-neko (beckoning cat) – and Koenji, which proudly celebrates Tokyo’s heritage with an annual Awaodori Dance Festival. You would, however, be forgiven for wanting to escape Japan’s adrenaline-inducing cities. Thanks to the shinkansen (bullet train), tranquility and seclusion are only ever a few short hours away. Hunker down in the mountainous old town of Takayama where you can wander the morning markets and ancient Edo Period streets, stop for sake in centuries-old breweries and relax in a traditional ryokan, complete with yukata robes and multi-course kaiseki dinners.

Japan is known for its omotenashi, a deep-rooted culture surrounding hospitality and attention to detail. It is why train staff bow as you embark, taxi drivers hold the doors for you as you tackle wayward shopping bags, and Itamae chefs boil your sushi rice to exact temperatures (to ensure the flavours of your fish stand out). It seems the country’s landscapes have followed suit too. Steaming, chalk-white onsens await after early morning hikes up forested hills, as do magnificent temples and Zen meditation gardens. Surrounded by fields of wildflowers, ancient shrines and a breathtaking sea of pastel pink cherry blossom (if you time it right), they are the perfect peaceful antidote to the more exhilarating Japan solo travel adventures.

If adventure is what draws you to Japan, visiting in the winter is sure to satisfy. Early mornings in Hokkaido promise views of passing drift ice, while evenings in Tokyo guarantee to amaze as tradition and energy blur in electrifying sumo matches. Join Tokyoites on their annual pilgrimage to Hakuba ski resort, where you can tear through deep powder, dine on fresh sushi and warm up in steamy hot springs. Or, if warm skies call, head to Sensui-jima Island. Unspoilt and uninhabited, it gives the impression of being entirely deserted. And with its colourful rock formations and clear-water beaches, it the perfect spot for a day spent kayaking and coastal walking. However, the main attraction in this little pocket of paradise reveals itself once the sun disappear. Watch in awe as sea fireflies illuminate the island’s shallow waters and cover the coast in a magical cobalt blue hue. That’s the thing with Japan solo travel. Round every corner, on every island, up every mountain top, and you’ll discover that there is always a little magic to be found.